1 00:00:06,182 --> 00:00:08,475 Previously on The West Wing: 2 00:00:08,647 --> 00:00:12,354 -I'm not sure I was clear before. -We need to get back our focus. 3 00:00:12,532 --> 00:00:14,694 Work a message calendar, like the campaigns. 4 00:00:14,872 --> 00:00:17,663 Long-term. I'm talking about something else. 5 00:00:17,838 --> 00:00:20,214 Not articulating the message. Shaping it. 6 00:00:20,428 --> 00:00:22,424 We should discuss it. 7 00:00:23,812 --> 00:00:26,022 Not today. 8 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:34,074 Advertise your product or brand here contact www.OpenSubtitles.org today 9 00:00:56,522 --> 00:00:58,768 Welfare. 10 00:01:07,092 --> 00:01:12,687 Let us raise the minimum wage so that work always pays more than welfare. 11 00:01:30,027 --> 00:01:32,736 -Yeah. -Hey. How much cash did Gaines have... 12 00:01:32,909 --> 00:01:36,164 -...in the last FEC filing period? -The senator? 13 00:01:36,335 --> 00:01:40,386 -Gaines. Cash on hand. -Three hundred and ten K. 14 00:01:40,596 --> 00:01:42,925 -It's almost nothing. -It's not an election year. 15 00:01:43,102 --> 00:01:45,645 What's unusual--? 16 00:02:05,661 --> 00:02:07,990 -It's Charlie. -When's the president's wake-up... 17 00:02:08,168 --> 00:02:09,546 -...call tomorrow? -Today? 18 00:02:09,714 --> 00:02:12,387 -Tomorrow, today-- The next one. -Five forty-five. 19 00:02:12,554 --> 00:02:14,051 -I'll make the call. -Excuse me? 20 00:02:14,226 --> 00:02:17,148 I'll make his wake-up call. Sleep in. 21 00:02:42,508 --> 00:02:45,716 -Yeah. -Good morning, Mr. President. 22 00:02:45,892 --> 00:02:49,812 Charlie, we're going to surgically implant a snooze button. 23 00:02:49,986 --> 00:02:52,029 -It won 't hurt much. -It's Toby, sir. 24 00:02:52,576 --> 00:02:54,987 If they're not giving you enough to do down there-- 25 00:02:55,166 --> 00:02:59,040 I know this sounds crazy but I think we have two weeks. 26 00:02:59,218 --> 00:03:03,092 A two-week window. I need to see you alone right now... 27 00:03:03,270 --> 00:03:07,191 -...because if I'm right about this-- -Toby, what are you talking about? 28 00:03:08,451 --> 00:03:13,001 I think I know how we can save Social Security. 29 00:04:01,590 --> 00:04:05,428 I think Gaines is leaving the Senate. I think he's not gonna run again. 30 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:11,482 -Because he only has $310,000 on hand. -Because he's not raising money. 31 00:04:11,658 --> 00:04:14,580 He was the only Republican to applaud a minimum-wage hike... 32 00:04:14,749 --> 00:04:20,000 ...at the State of the Union. Breaking ranks over the AFL-CIO's top issue. 33 00:04:20,180 --> 00:04:22,806 -Think he'll announce retirement? -GOP dinner's in two weeks. 34 00:04:22,979 --> 00:04:25,985 If I'm right, he'll announce his intentions there. Always has. 35 00:04:26,154 --> 00:04:29,861 And he's been a leader on this for decades. 36 00:04:30,039 --> 00:04:32,581 He chairs the Social Security subcommittee. 37 00:04:32,755 --> 00:04:35,000 Get him and a leading Democrat to agree. 38 00:04:35,178 --> 00:04:38,599 Bring the House guys along before anyone knows he's a lame duck. 39 00:04:38,770 --> 00:04:41,942 -This just might be the break we need. -To save Social Security. 40 00:04:42,112 --> 00:04:46,663 -To save Social Security. Yes, sir. -This is right after we colonize Ontario. 41 00:04:48,170 --> 00:04:50,665 Let's talk about reality. 42 00:04:50,844 --> 00:04:54,764 More college kids think they'll see UFOs than Social Security checks. 43 00:05:00,744 --> 00:05:04,035 If we do nothing, the trust fund will go broke. 44 00:05:05,131 --> 00:05:07,591 One senator's retirement means we can save it? 45 00:05:07,763 --> 00:05:10,139 One senator who's been the leader on it. 46 00:05:10,311 --> 00:05:13,816 One senator who can bring his party along. One senator who's never had... 47 00:05:13,987 --> 00:05:17,492 -...a president who'd meet him halfway. -Republicans will wanna divert... 48 00:05:17,664 --> 00:05:19,707 ...Social Security into private investment. 49 00:05:19,878 --> 00:05:24,262 -Think Democrats will go with that? -I didn't say there aren't sticking points. 50 00:05:24,431 --> 00:05:27,687 More like Krazy Glue. Think Republicans will raise payroll taxes? 51 00:05:27,857 --> 00:05:30,946 I think we have to have the conversation. I... 52 00:05:31,116 --> 00:05:34,240 -...can't give you the plan. -You can't save Social Security... 53 00:05:34,416 --> 00:05:36,875 ...without cutting benefits or raising taxes. 54 00:05:37,048 --> 00:05:41,468 This is the largest meeting in Washington where anyone's ever admitted it. 55 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:46,739 When Social Security goes bankrupt, are we gonna call that a benefit cut? 56 00:05:46,907 --> 00:05:49,948 -Let's talk to Gaines. -lf it becomes public... 57 00:05:50,124 --> 00:05:53,581 ...we've even discussed this, both sides will go crazy. 58 00:05:53,758 --> 00:05:57,215 It will jeopardize our whole agenda on the Hill. 59 00:06:01,821 --> 00:06:04,946 What if I do it? I'll do all the negotiating. 60 00:06:05,121 --> 00:06:08,293 You'll have total deniability. No one in the building has to know. 61 00:06:08,463 --> 00:06:10,756 If it blows up, I'm to pretend we never met? 62 00:06:11,429 --> 00:06:14,519 We'll always have Paris. 63 00:06:14,688 --> 00:06:18,312 Mr. President, life expectancy is rising. 64 00:06:18,740 --> 00:06:24,420 The biggest generation ever is retiring, and we don't have the money. 65 00:06:24,589 --> 00:06:27,761 Every year we wait means we have to cut deeper, take away more... 66 00:06:27,931 --> 00:06:30,223 ...till Social Security's not enough to live on. 67 00:06:30,396 --> 00:06:34,316 Till retirement's a one-way ticket to a flophouse. We have an opening. 68 00:06:34,490 --> 00:06:36,616 There's 17 ways to fix it. 69 00:06:36,787 --> 00:06:39,413 Twenty years of Blue Ribbon Commissions told us how. 70 00:06:39,586 --> 00:06:42,592 This isn't a government program. It is a moral covenant. 71 00:06:42,761 --> 00:06:46,052 We don't wanna be the administration that saves it from oblivion? 72 00:06:46,229 --> 00:06:48,640 We don't want that legacy? 73 00:06:48,819 --> 00:06:51,825 Social Security is the third rail of American politics. 74 00:06:51,994 --> 00:06:53,407 Touch it and you die. 75 00:06:53,623 --> 00:06:56,748 That's because the third rail is where all the power is. 76 00:07:02,104 --> 00:07:04,777 Talk to Gaines, but just talk. 77 00:07:04,944 --> 00:07:07,570 And no one else in this building knows. 78 00:07:08,119 --> 00:07:11,291 -Thank you, Mr. President. -We have nothing to announce today. 79 00:07:11,503 --> 00:07:15,174 No policy, summit meetings, not a warm front meeting up with a cold front. 80 00:07:15,347 --> 00:07:19,185 We need a hard news announcement each day, or the press runs amok. 81 00:07:19,357 --> 00:07:22,279 It's Toby's job. What am I, the White House complaint center? 82 00:07:22,449 --> 00:07:25,240 You run the policy shops. Besides, Toby's avoiding me. 83 00:07:25,415 --> 00:07:28,504 -Maybe no news is good news. -No news is very, very bad news. 84 00:07:28,673 --> 00:07:31,049 If we don't run offense, we're running defense. 85 00:07:31,221 --> 00:07:34,097 There's some clever sports analogy to explain what happens. 86 00:07:34,271 --> 00:07:37,193 -We're screwed. -That'll do. 87 00:07:37,363 --> 00:07:40,119 Are we proposing the streamlining of Federal Adoption Law? 88 00:07:40,287 --> 00:07:43,246 DPC says it's not ready, OMB says it's not revenue-neutral. 89 00:07:43,420 --> 00:07:45,131 I'm declaring a war on all acronyms. 90 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:48,140 There's gotta be something happening. It's a big government. 91 00:07:48,308 --> 00:07:50,850 When I accused the speaker of welshing on assignments... 92 00:07:51,023 --> 00:07:53,863 ...and had to apologize to the Welsh people? Slow news day. 93 00:07:54,031 --> 00:07:57,987 Here's something. The Argentine economic attaché is meeting at NEC. 94 00:07:58,167 --> 00:08:01,791 -There's your offensive play. -On cabbage imports. 95 00:08:01,969 --> 00:08:04,760 -Back to the huddle. -Bring him in around lunchtime. 96 00:08:04,935 --> 00:08:07,061 -We'll find a way to feed the beast. -Please. 97 00:08:07,232 --> 00:08:09,394 -The alternative's that it feeds on us. -Toby. 98 00:08:09,572 --> 00:08:12,993 Senator, could I have a minute of your time alone? 99 00:08:13,165 --> 00:08:15,041 Okay. You've got it. 100 00:08:15,212 --> 00:08:17,588 I think you're not running for re-election. 101 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:21,099 Because you broke ranks, stood up and applauded a minimum-wage hike... 102 00:08:21,269 --> 00:08:24,524 ...at the State of the Union. You barely raised a dime last quarter. 103 00:08:24,695 --> 00:08:27,486 -And? -And I'm offering you what I think... 104 00:08:27,661 --> 00:08:30,156 ...could be the crowning achievement of your career. 105 00:08:30,334 --> 00:08:34,968 -Want me to applaud the president more? -I want us to try to save Social Security. 106 00:08:35,139 --> 00:08:38,394 I'll bring the president and a leading Senate Democrat to the table. 107 00:08:38,564 --> 00:08:42,235 -Then we'll simonize the Hoover Dam? -Well, let's do this first. 108 00:08:42,408 --> 00:08:46,114 You've been good on this issue. Political hacks in the White House haven't. 109 00:08:46,293 --> 00:08:49,833 -This will be a day without politics. -Here's how it'll go. I'll say: 110 00:08:50,011 --> 00:08:52,851 "Let's have personal savings accounts. God forbid people... 111 00:08:53,019 --> 00:08:56,227 ...can invest their own money. " Josh Lyman's hatchet factory... 112 00:08:56,403 --> 00:08:59,159 ...will say I'm trying to turn it into stock-market bingo. 113 00:08:59,327 --> 00:09:02,452 -Everything's on the table. -I'll say, "Trim the cost of living... 114 00:09:02,627 --> 00:09:06,548 ...adjustment. " They'll haul out elderly widows who are getting $ 740 a month... 115 00:09:06,721 --> 00:09:11,141 -...and say I want them eating cat food. -Everything is on the table. 116 00:09:11,317 --> 00:09:14,941 I'm asking you to take one step. One small step toward greatness. 117 00:09:15,118 --> 00:09:19,372 You chair the subcommittee. You can deliver House and Senate Republicans. 118 00:09:19,547 --> 00:09:22,885 Funny. I knew the perfect Republican to lead this in the House. 119 00:09:23,056 --> 00:09:25,765 -Deeply committed to reform. -Senator, l-- 120 00:09:25,938 --> 00:09:29,063 Jim Carney was his name, and he's in a different line of work now. 121 00:09:29,239 --> 00:09:32,744 Are you willing to let the trust fund go completely broke? Let's face it. 122 00:09:32,915 --> 00:09:38,262 It'll lead to the mother of tax increases, or the total collapse of the system. 123 00:09:38,429 --> 00:09:41,601 Is that the legacy you wanna leave? 124 00:09:41,771 --> 00:09:44,777 One step, senator. That's all I'm asking. 125 00:09:46,743 --> 00:09:51,293 I'll need a Democrat. He better be a heavyweight. 126 00:09:59,902 --> 00:10:03,443 Hey. The vice president's speech to the Detroit Economic Club... 127 00:10:03,620 --> 00:10:05,331 -...wasn't half bad. -Thanks. 128 00:10:05,500 --> 00:10:08,839 -What do you wanna talk about? -His presentation problem. 129 00:10:09,009 --> 00:10:11,635 -People agree with what Russell says. -Till he says it. 130 00:10:11,808 --> 00:10:14,482 The greatest sin in politics, to be bad on television. 131 00:10:14,649 --> 00:10:17,227 Did you have presentation problems with the president? 132 00:10:17,406 --> 00:10:21,910 The first campaign. Every speech was an 18-point plan for something. 133 00:10:22,085 --> 00:10:24,414 -How did you do it? -Gave him an 18-point plan... 134 00:10:24,592 --> 00:10:28,548 -...to make his speeches snappier. -Russell makes fun of his blandness. 135 00:10:28,728 --> 00:10:31,603 -Salt speeches with self-deprecation. -Such as? 136 00:10:31,819 --> 00:10:35,193 Bob Russell is so dull, his Secret Service code name is Bob Russell. 137 00:10:35,370 --> 00:10:38,411 -That's not bad. -He's an inspiration to the Americans... 138 00:10:38,587 --> 00:10:42,377 -...suffering from Dutch elm disease. -Use that, you got a Sierra Club problem. 139 00:10:42,597 --> 00:10:46,186 -That's where we used it. -Problem is, telling people you're dull... 140 00:10:46,357 --> 00:10:49,612 ...just removes all doubt. Russell needs to confound expectations. 141 00:10:49,783 --> 00:10:54,452 Do something to really shock the party faithful. And I may have something. 142 00:10:54,629 --> 00:10:56,708 -About Gaines. -Senator Gaines? 143 00:10:56,885 --> 00:10:59,011 -Did Toby meet with him this morning? -Why? 144 00:10:59,182 --> 00:11:02,557 Polk from The Wall Street Journal just asked me. I said I had no idea. 145 00:11:02,733 --> 00:11:07,617 -For once in my life, I told the truth. -Yeah, that meeting was... . 146 00:11:07,997 --> 00:11:11,871 Yeah, let me get back to you about Russell. 147 00:11:12,049 --> 00:11:15,174 The code name thing. That's funny. 148 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:31,383 How you doing? 149 00:11:37,115 --> 00:11:39,657 Nobody here talks to me. 150 00:11:40,833 --> 00:11:45,383 -I don't think they like me. -Not really, no. 151 00:11:48,770 --> 00:11:50,231 Come here. 152 00:11:56,541 --> 00:11:59,546 Can you handle something confidential? 153 00:11:59,716 --> 00:12:04,849 Photocopying, pulling documents, answering my private line. 154 00:12:05,021 --> 00:12:06,648 -Thank you. -It's grunt work. 155 00:12:06,817 --> 00:12:11,285 -I won't let you down. I'm honored. -Trained animals could do it. Cut the act. 156 00:12:11,455 --> 00:12:15,126 Okay? I'm offering you the chance to do something real. 157 00:12:16,217 --> 00:12:20,720 I need you to comb through the Social Security reports on this table. 158 00:12:20,938 --> 00:12:23,979 Pull and copy every page with the names Gaines or Brainerd. 159 00:12:24,154 --> 00:12:26,614 Tell anyone what you're doing, or the topic... 160 00:12:26,786 --> 00:12:30,707 ...become any more likable before this project is over-- 161 00:12:37,147 --> 00:12:39,606 -Is this a bad time? -No. 162 00:12:45,168 --> 00:12:48,708 -What do you need? -Polk says you met with Gaines. 163 00:12:50,473 --> 00:12:53,432 -Yeah, it's nothing. -This wasn't about the tax bill? 164 00:12:53,607 --> 00:12:56,648 -No. I bumped into him. -lf you were even whispering about... 165 00:12:56,823 --> 00:12:59,318 -...a tax deal, you'd tell me? -What do you think? 166 00:12:59,497 --> 00:13:03,204 -They're counting on that for midterms. -What issues aren't they counting on? 167 00:13:03,382 --> 00:13:06,971 -So that 310 K you called me about? -It's a coincidence. 168 00:13:07,643 --> 00:13:09,770 Okay. 169 00:13:15,079 --> 00:13:19,000 Donna. Tell Will I'm coming over to see him. 170 00:13:19,173 --> 00:13:22,382 -What about? -I got a little surprise for Senator Gaines. 171 00:13:22,557 --> 00:13:25,813 It may not be such a slow news day after all. 172 00:13:34,171 --> 00:13:36,416 Mr. Polk. To what do I owe the pressure? 173 00:13:36,594 --> 00:13:39,006 -I need a comment. -Can it wait till the briefing? 174 00:13:39,184 --> 00:13:41,644 -Not really. -The Journal has no bulldog edition. 175 00:13:41,816 --> 00:13:43,646 You might need some time on this one. 176 00:13:43,821 --> 00:13:47,326 Toby's been meeting on the Hill. I wanna know if it's on Social Security. 177 00:13:47,498 --> 00:13:49,078 I'm sure it's not. 178 00:13:49,252 --> 00:13:51,295 A member of Gaines' staff says it might be. 179 00:13:51,466 --> 00:13:55,055 You know how many rounds we've gone on this issue? They're picking a fight. 180 00:13:55,226 --> 00:13:59,147 In person, obviously, because Gaines met Toby an hour ago. 181 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,197 This is what I get on a slow news day. 182 00:14:01,367 --> 00:14:04,207 -No bulldog edition, but plenty-- -But plenty of bulldogs. 183 00:14:04,375 --> 00:14:06,454 Check it out, C.J. 184 00:14:07,634 --> 00:14:09,510 Half an hour, senator, the mall's fine. 185 00:14:09,681 --> 00:14:11,890 A reporter from The Wall Street Journal called. 186 00:14:12,062 --> 00:14:14,557 -No press calls today. -Well, he said it was urgent. 187 00:14:14,735 --> 00:14:16,398 I am sure. 188 00:14:17,827 --> 00:14:20,322 -Hey, can I ask you a question? -What? 189 00:14:20,501 --> 00:14:24,172 -I don't understand Social Security. -Then you could be in Congress. 190 00:14:24,344 --> 00:14:27,100 All these reports say it's going broke if we don't fix it. 191 00:14:27,268 --> 00:14:30,975 But if we all pay into it, why don't we get our money back when we retire? 192 00:14:31,153 --> 00:14:35,074 Your Social Security taxes pay for today's retirees. 193 00:14:35,247 --> 00:14:38,087 Then why won't somebody else's taxes pay for my retirement? 194 00:14:38,255 --> 00:14:42,010 Because when the baby boomers retire, there will only be two people working... 195 00:14:42,182 --> 00:14:44,891 ...for every retiree, down from 42 workers per retiree... 196 00:14:45,065 --> 00:14:46,692 ...when the system started. 197 00:14:48,741 --> 00:14:52,080 -Hey, who's James Carney? -Jim. 198 00:14:52,250 --> 00:14:54,579 -What about him? -He's all over these reports. 199 00:14:54,799 --> 00:14:58,470 He chaired the last two commissions. If Gaines won't help, could you ask him? 200 00:14:58,642 --> 00:15:01,018 The chickens of our empty roost are coming home. 201 00:15:01,190 --> 00:15:04,196 Sorry, I've been... . It's been busy. 202 00:15:04,407 --> 00:15:05,952 It's a glacially slow news day. 203 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:08,615 I had three calls about financial disclosure forms... 204 00:15:08,794 --> 00:15:11,633 ...one request to inspect the first lady's shoe closet. 205 00:15:11,843 --> 00:15:15,015 -Didn't know it covered insoles. -Now they think you and Gaines... 206 00:15:15,185 --> 00:15:16,848 ...are reforming Social Security. 207 00:15:17,023 --> 00:15:18,568 What were you talking about? 208 00:15:18,778 --> 00:15:21,356 His volumetric ethanol amendment? 209 00:15:38,454 --> 00:15:39,785 You can't tell Leo. 210 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:42,840 -It isn't true, is it? -I need the press off my trail... 211 00:15:43,008 --> 00:15:44,505 ...for just a couple of days. 212 00:15:44,721 --> 00:15:48,226 -It's close-hold. -Close-hold from Leo? 213 00:15:53,619 --> 00:15:54,997 Okay. 214 00:15:57,797 --> 00:15:59,377 I like your new office. 215 00:15:59,551 --> 00:16:01,547 It has the advantage of being remote. 216 00:16:01,765 --> 00:16:03,927 Nice place to visit. Wonderful place to park. 217 00:16:04,147 --> 00:16:06,309 Two doors down is the International Date Line. 218 00:16:06,486 --> 00:16:09,445 I got the answer to your conundrum. Forget the dull jokes. 219 00:16:09,619 --> 00:16:12,875 The problem in the Democratic Party these days is morale, right? 220 00:16:13,463 --> 00:16:18,346 So Russell comes out of the gate as a seltzer-bottle-squirting partisan. 221 00:16:18,518 --> 00:16:22,652 The happy warrior. The guy who puts the fun back in Democratic politics. 222 00:16:22,821 --> 00:16:25,660 Fun. The guy needs a strobe light to look like he's moving. 223 00:16:25,870 --> 00:16:27,201 -Write that down. -Got it. 224 00:16:27,374 --> 00:16:32,625 Did you know that Gaines raised an anemic, pathetic 310 grand last quarter? 225 00:16:32,847 --> 00:16:36,352 -Does he even have an opponent yet? -No. But it's a crack in the plaster. 226 00:16:36,523 --> 00:16:39,065 A chink in the armor. Gonna have fun at his expense. 227 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,239 -Okay. -I'm talking about political theater. 228 00:16:42,413 --> 00:16:44,956 The stuff you do in a campaign to energize your base. 229 00:16:45,171 --> 00:16:47,844 Russell travels to Gaines' hometown... 230 00:16:48,011 --> 00:16:51,136 ...puts out a change jar, and stages a mock fundraiser. 231 00:16:51,312 --> 00:16:55,102 To show Gaines is so far outside the mainstream, that's why he's broke. 232 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:58,702 Drops a nickel in the jar for each of Gaines' retrograde positions. 233 00:16:58,915 --> 00:17:02,836 -Tahitian tax shelters: -Privatizing Social Security. How'd you--? 234 00:17:03,510 --> 00:17:05,756 It's a partisan stunt. He could do one a week. 235 00:17:05,933 --> 00:17:08,892 Fires up the troops. Shows while the other side's complacent-- 236 00:17:09,066 --> 00:17:11,359 -We're ready to throw down. -Too much fun there. 237 00:17:11,531 --> 00:17:14,240 -Sorry. -Slow news day. 238 00:17:15,249 --> 00:17:18,041 Lots of bored political reporters out there. 239 00:17:19,594 --> 00:17:22,635 Gaines is willing to risk his career. You just meet him halfway. 240 00:17:22,811 --> 00:17:25,222 -Where's the president? -Hundred percent behind it. 241 00:17:25,401 --> 00:17:29,156 We get you and Gaines in a room, hammer out a deal Democrats support. 242 00:17:29,328 --> 00:17:32,999 -I won't raise the retirement age. -No, no, we have to share the pain. 243 00:17:33,171 --> 00:17:35,713 Easy for us to say. We don't carry metal for a living. 244 00:17:35,887 --> 00:17:38,179 We don't work hard physical jobs like welding. 245 00:17:38,393 --> 00:17:41,233 Americans are retiring in their 60s, living into their 80s. 246 00:17:41,401 --> 00:17:43,694 FDR didn't intend to pay for 20 years of shuffleboard. 247 00:17:43,908 --> 00:17:47,365 Tell that to the sheet-metal worker whose tendons are shot by 55. 248 00:17:47,584 --> 00:17:49,663 No Social Security works wonders on tendons. 249 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:53,380 -Are you worried about political fallout? -Yes, I am, senator. 250 00:17:53,558 --> 00:17:56,267 But this isn't politics. It's history. 251 00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:00,029 And there is no easy way to get in the book. 252 00:18:02,373 --> 00:18:06,163 I'll talk. No commitments. But I'll talk. 253 00:18:13,025 --> 00:18:15,021 The guy from the Argentine embassy's here. 254 00:18:15,198 --> 00:18:17,028 See if he has anything we can announce. 255 00:18:17,203 --> 00:18:19,615 You'll wanna ask him yourself. 256 00:18:21,297 --> 00:18:23,626 -Ms. Cregg. -This'll have to be a short meeting. 257 00:18:23,804 --> 00:18:26,429 I knew this wasn't like shooting fish in a barrel. 258 00:18:26,603 --> 00:18:29,644 Not that I've done that, but we don't have anything to announce. 259 00:18:29,819 --> 00:18:33,693 And I thought maybe your cabbage-import penetration talks... 260 00:18:33,872 --> 00:18:36,711 ...would yield some... 261 00:18:36,921 --> 00:18:38,502 ...cabbage... 262 00:18:40,263 --> 00:18:42,937 -...agreement. -There is no agreement. 263 00:18:43,104 --> 00:18:48,237 -There's only mutual respect. -Well, that's not newsworthy, perhaps... 264 00:18:48,410 --> 00:18:50,786 -...but, certainly. -Do you like cabbage? 265 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,292 Not so much, really. 266 00:18:53,465 --> 00:18:55,092 On occasion... 267 00:18:55,261 --> 00:18:57,637 ...I see the appeal. 268 00:18:59,898 --> 00:19:02,773 It's been a while since I've tried it, actually. 269 00:19:02,948 --> 00:19:05,490 You are a woman. 270 00:19:05,997 --> 00:19:08,243 And no news there, either. 271 00:19:08,420 --> 00:19:12,259 Though at this point, I'm-- I'm willing to go with it. 272 00:19:13,601 --> 00:19:16,143 -They're waiting in the briefing room. -Oh, thank you. 273 00:19:16,316 --> 00:19:18,942 -Thank you, Mr...? -Carrio. 274 00:19:19,115 --> 00:19:21,075 Carlos Carrio. 275 00:19:21,246 --> 00:19:24,417 -Carrio. -Thank you. 276 00:19:25,089 --> 00:19:27,715 Thank you for... 277 00:19:27,888 --> 00:19:31,227 ...whatever it was that was. 278 00:19:35,157 --> 00:19:37,783 How come you wanted all that press guidance on ethanol? 279 00:19:37,956 --> 00:19:40,451 Because I'm about to get hammered on Social Security. 280 00:19:40,671 --> 00:19:44,628 -Silly me. -lf I tug my left ear, create a diversion. 281 00:19:46,144 --> 00:19:48,936 Good afternoon. I have an important announcement to make. 282 00:19:49,110 --> 00:19:51,605 In the coming weeks, the president plans to focus... 283 00:19:51,784 --> 00:19:53,447 ...on raising education standards. 284 00:19:53,622 --> 00:19:56,961 It's a juicy policy story no one's written. Don't all pounce at once. 285 00:19:57,131 --> 00:19:58,592 -Chris. -What's new about that? 286 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,802 -His laser-beam focus. -Which he said in the State of the Union. 287 00:20:01,977 --> 00:20:04,270 And obviously you'll want specifics. Gordon. 288 00:20:04,484 --> 00:20:07,490 I'm hearing you were going to propose changes to adoption law. 289 00:20:07,659 --> 00:20:10,415 We hope to announce them soon. Streamline the bureaucracy. 290 00:20:10,583 --> 00:20:13,339 -Find more children loving homes. -I hear those changes... 291 00:20:13,507 --> 00:20:16,181 -...preferred younger parents. -I haven't reviewed it. 292 00:20:16,348 --> 00:20:20,269 -The Bartlets' combined age is 111. -What are you suggesting? 293 00:20:20,484 --> 00:20:23,324 Did they kill it because they're considering adopting? 294 00:20:23,534 --> 00:20:27,122 -Shouldn't they recuse themselves--? -Polk's got a policy question. 295 00:20:27,335 --> 00:20:29,129 -I'm fine. -C.J. ! 296 00:20:29,340 --> 00:20:32,964 -The Bartlets had nothing to do with it. -Meaning they're out of the loop. 297 00:20:33,184 --> 00:20:35,560 Meaning everyone ought to have the right to adopt. 298 00:20:35,732 --> 00:20:38,941 You, me, the Dalai Lama. And this briefing is officially over. 299 00:20:39,158 --> 00:20:41,949 -We don't have news. -Like a blank page would kill you. 300 00:20:42,124 --> 00:20:44,120 Polk, follow me. 301 00:20:46,886 --> 00:20:49,512 -You didn't ask your question. -Why share? 302 00:20:49,727 --> 00:20:52,686 -They like flimsy rumors too. -I've got a second source. 303 00:20:52,860 --> 00:20:55,402 You'll see how flimsy it is in tomorrow's Journal. 304 00:20:56,244 --> 00:20:59,166 Brainerd says she'll talk. No commitments, but she'll talk. 305 00:20:59,336 --> 00:21:01,795 Maybe we can start a book club. 306 00:21:01,967 --> 00:21:05,424 She's the ranking Democrat on Finance. It's a good first step. 307 00:21:05,602 --> 00:21:09,606 I just heard from two reporters that Bob Russell and the Bartlet smear machine... 308 00:21:09,780 --> 00:21:12,072 ...are planning to attack me on Social Security. 309 00:21:12,244 --> 00:21:16,034 Make a circus out of my fundraising weakness. Is that the second step? 310 00:21:16,213 --> 00:21:18,090 I don't know what you're talking about. 311 00:21:18,260 --> 00:21:22,347 You're lying, or the left hand doesn't know what the far left hand is doing. 312 00:21:22,521 --> 00:21:25,277 -I'm not lying. -You know what happened to Carney? 313 00:21:25,446 --> 00:21:30,579 He commissioned one lousy CBO analysis on raising the retirement age. 314 00:21:30,751 --> 00:21:33,246 -I can fix this. -Josh Lyman ran ads... 315 00:21:33,425 --> 00:21:36,347 ...with 90-year-olds in hard hats working construction. 316 00:21:36,516 --> 00:21:39,272 "The Carney Social Security Plan. " 317 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:42,150 -Lost his seat by 11 points. -I'll stop whatever this is. 318 00:21:42,323 --> 00:21:44,735 -Eleven points. -You're not running this time. 319 00:21:44,913 --> 00:21:46,374 Who said I wasn't running? 320 00:21:46,542 --> 00:21:50,297 I thought it was time to raise the minimum wage. 321 00:21:50,469 --> 00:21:53,047 -You have to trust me on-- -I don't. 322 00:21:53,227 --> 00:21:55,936 And if I did put my neck on the line with my own party... 323 00:21:56,109 --> 00:21:57,939 ...by scaling back private accounts... 324 00:21:58,114 --> 00:22:01,120 ...your guys would never give up your favorite partisan attack. 325 00:22:01,289 --> 00:22:05,210 We're on the same limb. The Journal's chasing this, your staff is leaking it. 326 00:22:05,425 --> 00:22:08,466 -They were until I confirmed it. -You confirmed it? 327 00:22:08,642 --> 00:22:13,145 I told them that you came to me and urged me to cut Social Security. 328 00:22:13,739 --> 00:22:16,412 If they print this, it'll torpedo any chance of a deal. 329 00:22:16,579 --> 00:22:20,964 Well, now you've got that limb all to yourself. 330 00:22:29,697 --> 00:22:33,452 -I thought you handled that beautifully. -Tough love's what these people need. 331 00:22:33,624 --> 00:22:36,333 If not that, I move on to Molotov cocktails. What's that? 332 00:22:36,506 --> 00:22:38,586 Gordon's wire story. 333 00:22:38,762 --> 00:22:40,842 "C.J. Cregg Touts Her Right to Adopt. " 334 00:22:41,018 --> 00:22:43,644 -I thought you handled it beautifully. -Where's Gordon? 335 00:22:43,817 --> 00:22:45,362 Right outside the door. 336 00:22:45,530 --> 00:22:47,740 Thank you. 337 00:22:47,911 --> 00:22:49,788 -Let's talk about your story. -Sure. 338 00:22:49,958 --> 00:22:54,592 Since you stumbled onto-- We can do this on the record, if you'd like. 339 00:22:54,804 --> 00:22:58,642 At a certain point, I don't know when, exactly... 340 00:22:59,149 --> 00:23:01,775 ...the press secretary job just wasn't fulfilling. 341 00:23:01,948 --> 00:23:03,778 Maybe it was... . 342 00:23:03,953 --> 00:23:06,995 Then there was the spiritual vacuum. Ever feel that in your job? 343 00:23:07,170 --> 00:23:09,748 First I thought it was Western materialism... 344 00:23:09,927 --> 00:23:13,266 ...then the mantras stopped working, and-- Are you getting this down? 345 00:23:13,436 --> 00:23:15,563 Anyway, I already got the crib. 346 00:23:15,734 --> 00:23:19,073 I painted one room pink, and another blue. I wanted to live with both. 347 00:23:19,243 --> 00:23:21,999 -Such different sensibilities. -About these new adoption-- 348 00:23:22,168 --> 00:23:25,756 That's the thing. I don't wanna adopt. I'm looking for a donor. 349 00:23:26,387 --> 00:23:28,383 A donor? 350 00:23:30,021 --> 00:23:32,148 Close the door. 351 00:23:33,572 --> 00:23:37,196 -Oh, wait, you're not-- -Are you out of your pencil-ridden brain? 352 00:23:37,416 --> 00:23:39,745 This is the United States government. 353 00:23:39,964 --> 00:23:42,293 We've got a $2 trillion budget. 354 00:23:42,471 --> 00:23:44,966 The largest creditor, the largest subcontractor... 355 00:23:45,144 --> 00:23:47,057 ...lifeblood of the global economy... 356 00:23:47,233 --> 00:23:50,358 ...with a nuclear arsenal that could blow the planet into pieces. 357 00:23:50,533 --> 00:23:53,872 I shouldn't have to tie you to a chair to get you to write about it! 358 00:23:54,419 --> 00:23:56,878 -So you don't have a crib? -Get out! 359 00:24:03,275 --> 00:24:05,687 You're a hard man to reach today. 360 00:24:11,338 --> 00:24:12,965 This is off the record? 361 00:24:13,385 --> 00:24:14,965 Sure. 362 00:24:15,891 --> 00:24:17,721 Don't write your story. 363 00:24:17,938 --> 00:24:19,316 I forgot you were my editor. 364 00:24:19,484 --> 00:24:22,490 I'll give you an exclusive when this is over. I'll give you 10. 365 00:24:22,659 --> 00:24:24,739 -Something big. -Than a fifth of the budget? 366 00:24:24,915 --> 00:24:26,827 Bigger than 51 million monthly checks? 367 00:24:27,046 --> 00:24:30,717 Just so you know, you're gonna ruin me with the party. Ruin us on 15 issues. 368 00:24:30,889 --> 00:24:33,930 Gaines is vulnerable, so Josh is threatening him with attacks... 369 00:24:34,106 --> 00:24:37,147 -...to force a deal. Good cop/bad cop. -You're wrong. 370 00:24:37,364 --> 00:24:41,035 -And the arrogance you have assuming-- -How about the arrogance of trying... 371 00:24:41,208 --> 00:24:45,046 ...to reform a $400 billion program by manhandling senators behind doors... 372 00:24:45,218 --> 00:24:46,549 ...with no public debate? 373 00:24:46,722 --> 00:24:49,182 Without organized labor? Without the AARP? 374 00:24:49,396 --> 00:24:53,150 Without the taxpaying public having any clue they might have to work longer... 375 00:24:53,323 --> 00:24:56,744 ...for less retirement money? You also met with Brainerd. 376 00:24:56,915 --> 00:24:59,493 And I'm through talking off the record. 377 00:24:59,673 --> 00:25:02,298 -When are you filing? -Tonight. 378 00:25:03,349 --> 00:25:06,271 Sunshine is the best disinfectant, Toby. 379 00:25:07,151 --> 00:25:08,945 For germs, maybe. 380 00:25:09,114 --> 00:25:11,074 Not the plague. 381 00:25:11,621 --> 00:25:14,163 Half the Superfund money goes to the lawyers, anyway. 382 00:25:14,336 --> 00:25:16,628 It's a super slush fund for the trial attorneys. 383 00:25:16,801 --> 00:25:21,351 That's right, they're giving it all right back to the Democratic Party. 384 00:25:21,521 --> 00:25:24,313 I told you the 310 K wasn't relevant. 385 00:25:24,529 --> 00:25:26,192 I'm making it relevant. 386 00:25:27,495 --> 00:25:28,826 I don't want it relevant. 387 00:25:29,041 --> 00:25:32,250 You dealing on Social Security? 388 00:25:33,511 --> 00:25:36,552 -Journal says you are. I denied it. -Stop the stunts. 389 00:25:36,728 --> 00:25:40,946 I got calls from half a dozen Democratic senators, thrilled at signs of political life. 390 00:25:41,114 --> 00:25:44,536 They're going to run on Social Security. They don't want it dealt away. 391 00:25:44,707 --> 00:25:48,082 -This doesn't concern the political-- -Meaning it's bad politics. 392 00:25:48,300 --> 00:25:51,140 -Meaning knock it off! -The electorate's 10 percent older... 393 00:25:51,308 --> 00:25:54,433 ...in the off years, and more culturally conservative? 394 00:25:54,608 --> 00:25:57,186 The only two advantages we have in the midterms... 395 00:25:57,365 --> 00:25:59,076 ...are Social Security and Medicare. 396 00:25:59,245 --> 00:26:02,085 -Take them off the table, we got nothing. -There's no table. 397 00:26:02,295 --> 00:26:04,338 Then why do you care what I do to Gaines? 398 00:26:04,551 --> 00:26:08,769 Mr. Ziegler, there's someone-- You're needed in your office right away. 399 00:26:19,298 --> 00:26:22,256 Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber in the policy shop-- 400 00:26:22,431 --> 00:26:24,142 -Forget about that. -Forget about it? 401 00:26:24,311 --> 00:26:27,982 I need you to talk to Toby's researcher about her clothes. 402 00:26:28,154 --> 00:26:30,483 -You didn't wanna play fashion cop. -Go there. 403 00:26:31,078 --> 00:26:34,168 Talk about pantsuits. Find out what Toby's working on. 404 00:26:36,217 --> 00:26:39,057 You're asking me to spy on Toby? 405 00:26:41,815 --> 00:26:43,645 I don't feel comfortable with that. 406 00:26:43,862 --> 00:26:46,784 I didn't ask. Toby's negotiating away our office furniture. 407 00:26:46,953 --> 00:26:49,033 -We need to know. -I'm supposed to have-- 408 00:26:49,209 --> 00:26:51,121 Makeup tips. 409 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:54,970 See what's on her desk. 410 00:26:57,063 --> 00:26:58,394 This isn't a setup. 411 00:26:59,361 --> 00:27:02,985 You're surprised The Wall Street Journal is exploiting this? 412 00:27:03,204 --> 00:27:05,746 I'm surprised Gaines is out when you said he's in. 413 00:27:05,961 --> 00:27:08,290 -I can get him back on board. -He said he's out. 414 00:27:08,510 --> 00:27:13,179 -The Journal knows you and I met. -I can piece this back together. 415 00:27:13,356 --> 00:27:15,566 -I need you to make commitments. -Commitments? 416 00:27:15,737 --> 00:27:18,659 He'd scale back on private accounts. What can you give him? 417 00:27:18,828 --> 00:27:20,456 Nothing. 418 00:27:20,625 --> 00:27:24,165 If it's in the papers I was even talking about raising retirement age... 419 00:27:24,343 --> 00:27:27,848 ...I'd have the walker brigade picketing my house. 420 00:27:28,019 --> 00:27:31,726 -Slowly. -This could be our one chance... 421 00:27:31,904 --> 00:27:33,484 ...to help them. 422 00:27:33,659 --> 00:27:35,821 And you're gonna give it up? 423 00:27:37,043 --> 00:27:40,132 -When do we ever get a deal on this? -When we win back Congress. 424 00:27:40,301 --> 00:27:43,806 -And do it on Democratic terms. -We've been saying that for 20 years. 425 00:27:44,145 --> 00:27:45,855 I'm out. 426 00:27:46,192 --> 00:27:48,437 You can keep the hemlock. 427 00:28:07,163 --> 00:28:09,325 We haven't met. Donna Moss. 428 00:28:09,503 --> 00:28:12,378 -I work for Josh. -Rena. 429 00:28:12,845 --> 00:28:14,674 I've seen you on C-SPAN. 430 00:28:14,892 --> 00:28:18,432 Really? Well, sometimes they catch us in the back of the briefings. 431 00:28:18,610 --> 00:28:21,283 My mom calls me when she thinks I look tired. 432 00:28:21,492 --> 00:28:23,119 Everyone around here looks tired. 433 00:28:23,414 --> 00:28:25,374 We need to talk clothes and makeup. 434 00:28:26,129 --> 00:28:28,339 Oh, sure. 435 00:28:28,511 --> 00:28:32,051 If you ever want me to teach you how to put on makeup, I'd be happy to. 436 00:28:32,855 --> 00:28:34,186 Thanks. 437 00:28:36,532 --> 00:28:40,286 It's great you get to use Will's old office. 438 00:28:43,341 --> 00:28:44,838 What are you working on? 439 00:28:47,226 --> 00:28:51,277 Toby works on so many different things. It must be hard to keep track. 440 00:28:51,571 --> 00:28:53,982 He always wants to keep Josh in the loop. 441 00:28:54,203 --> 00:28:57,708 They're so busy. That's where we come in as coordinators. 442 00:28:57,879 --> 00:29:00,801 Collegial coordinators, you might say. 443 00:29:01,514 --> 00:29:04,555 You know what? It's none of my business. 444 00:29:04,730 --> 00:29:07,023 Don't ever tell anyone what you're working on. 445 00:29:07,237 --> 00:29:09,613 Just keep doing what you're doing. 446 00:29:10,119 --> 00:29:13,042 I was tired of everyone dressing the same, anyway. 447 00:29:14,715 --> 00:29:17,637 I hear the policy people are giving Donna a hard time. 448 00:29:17,806 --> 00:29:19,351 A little bit, yeah. 449 00:29:19,519 --> 00:29:21,979 Don't be too rough. We just bled them dry. 450 00:29:22,151 --> 00:29:25,323 Leo, if something is happening to my job, tell me now. 451 00:29:25,493 --> 00:29:28,119 Don't leave me hanging out there again. 452 00:29:28,292 --> 00:29:29,919 Hanging out where? 453 00:29:30,088 --> 00:29:33,011 Toby's working on something important. Social Security. 454 00:29:33,180 --> 00:29:37,267 -lf it affects my accordion-like portfolio. -Your accordion's fine. 455 00:29:37,441 --> 00:29:41,576 Obviously, some things are gonna be close-hold. I just-- 456 00:29:42,036 --> 00:29:43,449 I wanna do the politics. 457 00:29:43,624 --> 00:29:45,168 You are. 458 00:29:46,423 --> 00:29:48,633 All right. Thanks. 459 00:29:48,804 --> 00:29:50,681 What are you looking for? 460 00:29:50,851 --> 00:29:55,936 A senator who's mute and only represents people under 30. 461 00:29:56,282 --> 00:29:57,945 Well, what about Jim Carney? 462 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:00,366 It seems like he's really committed to this. 463 00:30:00,543 --> 00:30:03,549 Jim Carney was one of the gutsiest guys in the House. 464 00:30:03,718 --> 00:30:06,213 Loved on both sides of the aisle. 465 00:30:07,269 --> 00:30:08,814 So? 466 00:30:10,277 --> 00:30:14,697 He used to be a Republican House member. He's not there anymore. 467 00:30:15,666 --> 00:30:17,578 What happened to him? 468 00:30:18,507 --> 00:30:22,047 Josh and I wrote a TV ad that destroyed his career. 469 00:30:23,102 --> 00:30:25,014 We figured if we won his seat... 470 00:30:25,191 --> 00:30:29,195 ...maybe a half dozen others, got more Democrats in Congress... 471 00:30:29,870 --> 00:30:32,829 ...we'd be able to get something done around here. 472 00:30:37,348 --> 00:30:39,427 What's going on, Toby? 473 00:30:39,604 --> 00:30:43,822 Josh is spinning conspiracy theories. The Journal is calling every 10 minutes. 474 00:30:44,450 --> 00:30:47,491 -Toby Ziegler's line. -I'm working on that ethanol thing. 475 00:30:48,460 --> 00:30:49,957 Ethanol. 476 00:30:50,131 --> 00:30:52,377 The president wants you in the residence. 477 00:30:52,721 --> 00:30:54,134 -Thanks. -No, sir. 478 00:30:54,351 --> 00:30:57,107 The president wants Mr. Ziegler in the residence. 479 00:31:00,575 --> 00:31:02,571 It's just... . 480 00:31:05,212 --> 00:31:07,374 I'll find you afterwards. 481 00:31:12,439 --> 00:31:15,695 If they'd let me wear leggings for my portrait we'd be in business. 482 00:31:15,865 --> 00:31:17,528 Until it shows up on the Internet. 483 00:31:17,703 --> 00:31:21,374 There you go, turning your back on a whole new constituency. 484 00:31:22,257 --> 00:31:24,336 Give us a minute, Charlie. 485 00:31:27,855 --> 00:31:30,480 Nice bags under the eyes there, Kojak. 486 00:31:31,113 --> 00:31:32,574 I didn't know he'd be here. 487 00:31:32,743 --> 00:31:35,320 I've got five Democratic senators on my call sheet. 488 00:31:35,500 --> 00:31:39,884 Leo's clamoring to know what this is all about. What have you gotten us into? 489 00:31:41,140 --> 00:31:44,514 I lost Gaines, I lost Brainerd, and the Journal is running it tomorrow. 490 00:31:44,691 --> 00:31:47,862 Running what? That we grabbed the third rail with both hands? 491 00:31:48,576 --> 00:31:51,332 We talked about raising the retirement age, privatization. 492 00:31:51,542 --> 00:31:53,668 Damn it, Toby! 493 00:31:57,725 --> 00:31:59,269 Gaines expressed some interests. 494 00:31:59,479 --> 00:32:02,057 So you ran with it when I told you not to even walk. 495 00:32:04,033 --> 00:32:05,779 What if you talked to Gaines? 496 00:32:05,954 --> 00:32:10,006 -Let him know you're behind this? -Behind a deal that doesn't exist? 497 00:32:11,427 --> 00:32:14,053 What if you told him you'll move on the retirement age? 498 00:32:14,226 --> 00:32:18,182 Maybe I should call the Journal. They can run it next to my legislative obituary! 499 00:32:18,404 --> 00:32:20,198 -I can't contain this. -You're gonna. 500 00:32:20,367 --> 00:32:22,279 -There's no way. -Then find a way. 501 00:32:22,456 --> 00:32:26,507 How? By telling the whole party, so they can lay down on the tracks to stop it? 502 00:32:26,675 --> 00:32:29,681 By telling nine committee chairs, a whole dining room set... 503 00:32:29,850 --> 00:32:32,607 ...that we circumvented their authority? 504 00:32:33,986 --> 00:32:36,742 The Journal's gonna file it, and we don't have a deal. 505 00:32:36,952 --> 00:32:40,077 Find a deal. I want this back in the cardboard box it came in. 506 00:32:40,253 --> 00:32:42,498 I don't wanna see you till that's done. 507 00:32:43,260 --> 00:32:46,516 "No way" is not an acceptable answer. "I tried" is not an option. 508 00:32:46,686 --> 00:32:49,228 You started this thing, and you're gonna finish it. 509 00:32:49,401 --> 00:32:54,155 With either a blue ribbon or a great big deafening silence. 510 00:32:57,966 --> 00:32:59,510 Yes, sir. 511 00:33:00,430 --> 00:33:02,426 Thank you, Mr. President. 512 00:33:23,073 --> 00:33:25,116 -Hi. -Hi. 513 00:33:31,512 --> 00:33:34,434 -What's that? -Oh, it's just-- 514 00:33:35,021 --> 00:33:39,357 Some guy at the Argentine embassy who apparently wants to make me a salad. 515 00:33:42,541 --> 00:33:46,212 -Sorry about that baby story. -Yeah, it's okay. 516 00:33:47,470 --> 00:33:49,347 We're senior advisers to the president. 517 00:33:49,517 --> 00:33:52,357 Officers of the federal government. Life's not perfect... 518 00:33:52,525 --> 00:33:56,065 ...but why does anyone think we don't live in a world we construct? 519 00:33:57,162 --> 00:34:00,370 Yeah. Any luck with Polk? 520 00:34:00,546 --> 00:34:02,091 No. 521 00:34:03,345 --> 00:34:07,396 Okay. I may have an announcement for you that'll knock Polk out of the water. 522 00:34:07,982 --> 00:34:11,571 -Saying what? -Let me get the wording straight. 523 00:34:29,455 --> 00:34:33,839 It says here that before Social Security, half of all seniors died in poverty. 524 00:34:34,008 --> 00:34:36,634 -And now, almost none do. -Yeah. 525 00:34:36,807 --> 00:34:39,481 Must've been a pretty great day when they passed it. 526 00:34:39,648 --> 00:34:44,033 During the floor debate, one Republican called it "the lash of the dictator. " 527 00:34:44,285 --> 00:34:46,495 Another said it would "enslave workers. " 528 00:34:46,708 --> 00:34:48,669 Social Security? 529 00:34:49,215 --> 00:34:55,097 And some on the far left dismissed it as a half measure. A cop-out. 530 00:34:55,398 --> 00:34:59,022 A way to plug holes in a dying capitalist system. 531 00:35:00,912 --> 00:35:04,084 Is it--? Can I ask, what did the president--? 532 00:35:04,254 --> 00:35:07,213 He wanted me to put this back in the box. 533 00:35:07,555 --> 00:35:09,384 How do you do that? 534 00:35:10,312 --> 00:35:13,484 By taking the blame for everything that happened. 535 00:35:24,265 --> 00:35:26,391 You're up to something. You lied to me. 536 00:35:26,563 --> 00:35:29,652 The president won't say what it is, but you work for me. 537 00:35:30,072 --> 00:35:31,699 -I do. -Tell me what you're up to. 538 00:35:31,910 --> 00:35:35,118 Tell me why half the caucus thinks we're squeezing Gaines. 539 00:35:35,336 --> 00:35:37,628 Or we have serious problems. 540 00:35:45,821 --> 00:35:47,651 No problems. 541 00:35:53,884 --> 00:35:56,177 There's a reason we have a chain of command. 542 00:35:57,059 --> 00:36:00,564 So people don't take fliers, and I don't hand you their resignations. 543 00:36:00,777 --> 00:36:03,070 I wanted to believe he could do it. 544 00:36:03,242 --> 00:36:07,578 -I wanted to believe as much as he did. -This isn't Never-Never Land, sir. 545 00:36:07,754 --> 00:36:10,713 -Believing is not enough. -You would've stopped it. 546 00:36:10,887 --> 00:36:13,561 -Because it's my job. -It's my life, Leo. 547 00:36:14,145 --> 00:36:15,690 I'm the one who's accountable. 548 00:36:15,858 --> 00:36:18,318 Not in the papers, or the Democratic cloakroom... 549 00:36:18,490 --> 00:36:22,744 ...but in 50, 100 years, when Tuesday's poll samples have crumbled into dust. 550 00:36:22,918 --> 00:36:24,879 You can't will yourself a legacy. 551 00:36:25,049 --> 00:36:27,211 You think there's a room at the Smithsonian... 552 00:36:27,388 --> 00:36:29,384 ...for guys who never even tried? 553 00:36:34,156 --> 00:36:37,162 You have to accept Toby's letter. 554 00:36:55,378 --> 00:36:58,384 Five years, I never thought we'd have secrets. 555 00:36:58,720 --> 00:37:01,180 "Let thy discontents be thy secrets. " 556 00:37:01,352 --> 00:37:04,442 Only if you want them to stay discontent. 557 00:37:09,582 --> 00:37:12,588 C.J. showed me your resignation. 558 00:37:14,971 --> 00:37:17,977 Why didn't you tell me? You don't trust me? 559 00:37:18,230 --> 00:37:20,440 I didn't because you would've body-blocked me. 560 00:37:20,653 --> 00:37:22,982 Because it was a stupid thing and you knew it. 561 00:37:23,159 --> 00:37:26,748 Don't you wanna take back Congress? We can legislate on 100 of our issues. 562 00:37:26,919 --> 00:37:28,380 Spoken like a true reformer. 563 00:37:28,548 --> 00:37:33,016 I'd like to swim the English Channel too. Takes more than jumping off a pier. 564 00:37:33,227 --> 00:37:36,898 So exploit the hard stuff? That's what we wanna be remembered for? 565 00:37:37,071 --> 00:37:40,576 We do what's possible. We exploit what's not. 566 00:37:40,747 --> 00:37:42,327 That's how we win elections. 567 00:37:42,543 --> 00:37:45,466 Well, I came up on losing campaigns. 568 00:37:45,635 --> 00:37:49,259 And every time I lost, at least I knew what I went down for. 569 00:37:49,436 --> 00:37:50,898 Carney knew. 570 00:37:51,107 --> 00:37:53,603 What do the losers get to do about Social Security? 571 00:37:53,781 --> 00:37:57,619 Losers kick up dirt to keep the debate going. Maybe my letter will do that. 572 00:37:57,833 --> 00:38:00,375 -Make you a martyr. -Make someone pick up the ball. 573 00:38:00,716 --> 00:38:03,805 Inch by inch, we're moving the line of compromise. 574 00:38:03,974 --> 00:38:08,608 This isn't Sunday school. It's the world capital of politics. 575 00:38:08,779 --> 00:38:11,356 I could have told you Gaines wasn't gonna move. 576 00:38:11,578 --> 00:38:15,629 He did. He said he'd move on private accounts. 577 00:38:15,839 --> 00:38:18,928 You got the subcommittee chairman to move on private accounts? 578 00:38:19,097 --> 00:38:22,686 That's like inhaling a baby grand. 579 00:38:24,528 --> 00:38:26,025 Yeah. 580 00:38:26,826 --> 00:38:28,822 Well, he's out now. 581 00:38:29,834 --> 00:38:31,330 Turner. 582 00:38:32,967 --> 00:38:34,428 What? 583 00:38:35,808 --> 00:38:37,720 Roy Turner. 584 00:38:38,189 --> 00:38:39,567 You're saying that you'll... 585 00:38:39,776 --> 00:38:42,901 ...ask the Democrats to trim benefits over the next 20 years... 586 00:38:43,077 --> 00:38:46,867 ...raise the retirement age and give up on this issue forever. 587 00:38:47,045 --> 00:38:51,715 If I can tell them you'll settle for private accounts, on top of Social Security. 588 00:38:51,891 --> 00:38:54,601 And raise the income limit on Social Security taxes. 589 00:38:54,774 --> 00:38:59,242 We protect FDR's legacy, and admit changes have to be made to save it. 590 00:38:59,411 --> 00:39:01,953 -What about political cover? -We call off the stunts. 591 00:39:02,127 --> 00:39:06,595 The DNC won't use this deal against any Republican who votes for it. 592 00:39:07,349 --> 00:39:08,929 What are the chances this passes? 593 00:39:09,103 --> 00:39:11,978 Republicans would like to end the demagoguery on this issue. 594 00:39:12,153 --> 00:39:15,278 They'll be grateful that you approached me with a deal. 595 00:39:15,746 --> 00:39:17,159 Actually... . 596 00:39:17,500 --> 00:39:19,912 To sell this to Democrats... 597 00:39:20,174 --> 00:39:24,178 -...I have to say you approached me. -No. That's a deal-breaker for me. 598 00:39:24,393 --> 00:39:26,104 If it looks like a Democratic setup-- 599 00:39:26,315 --> 00:39:30,984 I can't look like a fig leaf for some risky scheme to shred Social Security. 600 00:39:31,161 --> 00:39:32,955 We're saving it, not shredding it. 601 00:39:33,459 --> 00:39:35,668 So you can drive a wedge into private accounts? 602 00:39:36,341 --> 00:39:38,135 You'd like to see it bankrupt? 603 00:39:38,305 --> 00:39:42,689 Closest we've been to in 20 years and it breaks over who he approached first? 604 00:39:42,858 --> 00:39:45,532 If he approached Republicans, he's a right-wing sellout. 605 00:39:45,699 --> 00:39:48,455 Approach the Democrats, he's a fire-breathing partisan. 606 00:39:48,999 --> 00:39:52,456 Hard enough caving on principle without looking like it. 607 00:39:52,675 --> 00:39:56,014 And we have a little problem called The Wall Street Journal. 608 00:39:59,109 --> 00:40:02,234 -We don't take credit. -What? 609 00:40:02,451 --> 00:40:04,613 We don't take credit at all. 610 00:40:04,832 --> 00:40:06,662 It's the only way. 611 00:40:07,339 --> 00:40:09,834 They approached each other. Bipartisan down the line. 612 00:40:10,012 --> 00:40:12,472 No one can say I'm setting anyone up. 613 00:40:12,644 --> 00:40:16,565 Mr. President, a victory like this comes along once in a generation. 614 00:40:16,738 --> 00:40:21,039 We'll have saved the New Deal, and no one will know we were in the room. 615 00:40:21,250 --> 00:40:22,747 We'll know. 616 00:40:24,634 --> 00:40:26,380 If we don't do this... . 617 00:40:29,271 --> 00:40:33,026 If this system collapses, which is what'll happen... . 618 00:40:33,198 --> 00:40:35,278 If we go back to bread lines... 619 00:40:35,454 --> 00:40:39,874 ...if growing old in America means growing poor again, we'll know that too. 620 00:40:41,595 --> 00:40:47,560 There is no such thing as an invisible legacy, sir. 621 00:40:49,073 --> 00:40:51,485 You have to know you'd be giving it away. 622 00:40:56,634 --> 00:40:59,557 All day, we've been talking about my legacy, my portrait... 623 00:40:59,726 --> 00:41:02,898 ...what's gonna be carved on my tombstone. 624 00:41:03,527 --> 00:41:07,199 Maybe we pay a little more attention to what's being rendered. 625 00:41:07,580 --> 00:41:10,289 And the rendering takes care of itself. 626 00:41:12,676 --> 00:41:14,886 It was time for both parties to come together... 627 00:41:15,058 --> 00:41:18,099 ... to secure the long-term future of Social Security. 628 00:41:18,274 --> 00:41:21,613 For years, Social Security has been the third rail of politics. 629 00:41:21,784 --> 00:41:24,540 But we're willing to take risks, to set aside divisions... 630 00:41:24,708 --> 00:41:29,711 ...and we are hopeful that House leaders and President Bartlet will also-- 631 00:41:29,888 --> 00:41:33,097 So much for The Wall Street Journal. It's a political tsunami. 632 00:41:33,564 --> 00:41:35,026 What'd you tell Polk? 633 00:41:35,235 --> 00:41:38,824 That they asked us to be part of this, and we said no. 634 00:41:40,750 --> 00:41:42,496 Okay. 635 00:41:44,343 --> 00:41:46,968 So, what do we do when Republicans and Democrats... 636 00:41:47,142 --> 00:41:50,563 ...no longer have Social Security to thrash each other with? 637 00:41:52,656 --> 00:41:55,198 We move on to Medicare. 638 00:41:55,998 --> 00:41:58,672 We can 't let that happen to people with disabilities. 639 00:41:58,881 --> 00:42:01,554 We can 't let that happen to the social safety net... 640 00:42:01,763 --> 00:42:05,719 ... that we have labored as a society to pitch. 641 00:42:05,899 --> 00:42:08,739 Always the slow news days, huh? 642 00:42:08,907 --> 00:42:12,447 Gaines, one of that body's leading free-market conservatives... 643 00:42:12,625 --> 00:42:14,835 ...slaying just about every sacred cow... 644 00:42:15,006 --> 00:42:19,510 ...really sticking their necks out to fix America 's retirement program. 645 00:42:19,685 --> 00:42:23,939 No word on whether House and Senate leaders might bring this to the floor... 646 00:42:24,113 --> 00:42:26,822 ...but this certainly puts pressure on the White House... 647 00:42:26,996 --> 00:42:29,752 ... which has shown no eagerness to trade away their... 648 00:42:29,920 --> 00:42:33,509 ...most potent political issue for the next election cycle. 649 00:42:33,680 --> 00:42:37,934 The heat's on President Bartlet now. Will he come late to this reform party? 650 00:42:38,108 --> 00:42:41,697 Later this evening, we'll be talking with several.... 651 00:42:42,305 --> 00:42:48,319 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org